One thing nobody mentioned - when you switch to survivor benefits, you'll need his death certificate and marriage certificate. Get multiple certified copies of the death certificate (at least 5-10) when the time comes. Every organization will want one and some won't accept photocopies. Just a practical tip I wish someone had told me!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works with retirees - you might also want to consider the tax implications when making this decision. Your reduced retirement benefit at 65 will be taxed as income, but when you eventually switch to survivor benefits, that will also be taxable income (potentially at a higher amount). If you're still working or have other income sources, this could push you into a higher tax bracket. It's worth running the numbers with a tax professional to see how the timing affects your overall financial picture, especially if you're planning to work past 65.

This whole situation makes me so nervous about applying for my own benefits next year. Seems like once you make any move, you're stuck with whatever happens to your online account! I've been saving screenshots of all my estimates just in case.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - suspended my benefits at 63 after getting a consulting gig that put me way over the earnings limit. The calculator disappearing is definitely frustrating, but there's a workaround that might help while you're waiting to get through to SSA. You can use the general retirement estimator on ssa.gov (not the personalized one in your account) and plug in your earnings history manually. It won't be as precise as your personal calculator was, but it'll give you a ballpark figure. Also, since you're suspending before your FRA, remember that you're essentially just pausing the clock on reductions rather than earning increases. The real benefit growth doesn't start until after your full retirement age. One tip for calling SSA - try calling right at 8am when they open or around 3-4pm. Those seem to be the least busy times in my experience.

Congratulations on getting it resolved! It's frustrating how these seemingly small data discrepancies can completely lock you out of the system. Your experience highlights a major issue with SSA's online verification - they need exact matches across multiple databases that apparently don't always sync properly. Thanks for sharing the solution and following up with your success story. This thread will be really helpful for others dealing with similar verification problems.

What a journey this has been to follow! As someone who's been dreading dealing with my own SSA online account setup, this thread has been incredibly educational. It's both helpful and terrifying to see how many different ways the system can fail - middle initials, address spacing, name changes, reverse situations... it's like a minefield of potential data mismatches. I really appreciate everyone who shared their experiences and solutions, especially the suggestion about that Claimyr service. The fact that we need third-party help just to reach our own government agencies says a lot about the current state of things. One question for the group: for those who successfully got their accounts working, how often do you run into glitches or lockouts even after the initial fix? I'm wondering if this is a one-time headache or something that might resurface periodically. Thanks again to everyone for documenting this whole process - this thread is going to be a lifesaver for future people dealing with the same issues!

I was in a really similar situation (though with Canada not Germany). When I finally got thru to someone knowledgeable at SSA, they told me the most important fact: the rules for non-citizens receiving benefits abroad are different depending on which specific country you're moving to! There's a whole SSA publication about it called "Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States" that lists all the different country rules. Definitely worth reading before making any decisions.

I'm a retired Social Security claims specialist and want to add some clarity to help with your decision. The confusion you're experiencing at your local office is unfortunately common because international benefit rules are complex and not all representatives are trained on them. Here are the key facts for your situation: **Germany-specific rules:** As others mentioned, the US-Germany totalization agreement does provide some protections, but as a green card holder (not citizen), your payments will still stop after 6 months abroad if you abandon permanent residency. **Citizenship timeline:** The naturalization process typically takes 8-14 months currently. You can apply for survivor benefits while your citizenship application is pending - this actually gives you the best of both worlds. **GPO calculation:** Your German pension will reduce your survivor benefits by exactly 2/3 of the German pension amount. So if you receive €450/month (~$500), your survivor benefit gets reduced by about $333/month. **Critical tip:** When you apply for survivor benefits, you MUST report your future German pension entitlement even though you won't receive it until age 67. This prevents overpayment issues later. My recommendation: Start both processes now - apply for citizenship AND survivor benefits simultaneously. This protects you regardless of which decision you make about relocating. Get everything documented in writing from SSA's Office of International Operations (ask specifically for them when you call).

You sound like you have a solid plan! One additional tip - when you go to your SSA appointment, bring multiple forms of ID and any documents related to your husband's work history or benefits if you have them. Also, ask specifically about when your first payment will arrive - there's usually a waiting period after approval. Since you mentioned being nervous about making ends meet, you might also want to look into local senior centers and community organizations. Many offer free meals, transportation assistance, and other services that can help stretch your budget. Some even have programs specifically for widows navigating Social Security benefits. Best of luck with your appointment - you've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anderson. Going through this process while grieving is incredibly difficult, but you're being very proactive by asking these important questions. One thing I wanted to add that I don't think has been covered yet - make sure you understand the difference between your "gross" benefit amount and what you'll actually receive. That $1,750 figure from the calculator is likely the gross amount before any deductions. Beyond what others have mentioned about Medicare premiums (once you turn 65) and potential garnishments, there could also be: - Voluntary federal tax withholding if you request it (though as others noted, you likely won't owe taxes on your only income of $1,750/month) - State tax withholding in some states - Any outstanding Medicare premiums from a previous enrollment period Also, I'd suggest creating a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov if you haven't already. This will let you track your application status, view your benefit verification letter once approved, and manage your account without having to call or visit an office. When you go to your appointment, don't hesitate to ask for a clear breakdown of what deductions (if any) will apply to your specific situation. The representative should be able to give you a realistic estimate of your actual monthly deposit amount. You're doing everything right by planning ahead. Wishing you the best with your application!